Little explanation how German telephone numbers work.

Let's consider the following number as an example

+49 (030) 838 - 75242

We can split this number in the following parts:

• + The plus sign represents digits that enable you to dispatch an international call. Inside Germany this is "00" (when calling to another country). In the US this is usually "011".
• 49 Germany's country code.
• 030 Berlin's area code with prepended 0. The 0 switches from local to distance calls and is not needed when calling from an international line.
• 838 This is the phone number of the FU Berlin. If you append a 0 you will be dispatched to the directory assistant.
• 75242 This is your party's extension.

Here are some examples:

• You are in the US and want to call the number above. You dial 011 49 30 838 75242.
• You are in Germany. You dial 030 838 75242.
• You are in Berlin on a landline with area code 030. You dial 838 75242.
• You are on a German cellphone. Dial 030 838 75242.
• You are on a phone inside FU Berlin. Dial 75242.

-- Christopher Oezbek - 30 Aug 2004